DAdams
Member
What a difference a year makes. At least in the world of Cree and 4Sevens. First, some general comments.
I wrote this up in an update to a standard vanilla 2XAA I purchased a year ago but upon its recent receipt and use of this new Quark X I was sufficiently impressed and motivated to go back a see what the output looked like a year ago in my collection.
With all the money I have spent on 4Sevens and early on Fenix lights I could have had Surefires or Streamlights. Having said that and although I am not extremely hard on the products, I have yet to have one fail out of at least a dozen. I do use them frequently though and they are all over the house, vehicles, key rings and go bags. Many a friend and relative has received one as a gift.
I'm not updating with each generation LED and electronics but I would prefer to have the highest output for the least power, which in the world of LED lights, means updating at least annually if not 18 months. A $250 dollar flashlight running on 2X123A with 100 Lumens (ANSI?) just doesn't do it for me.
There are a few things I like about 4Sevens.
A) 10 year warranty
B) ANSI OTF rating, not many manufacturers use it but when comparing 4 Sevens to 4Sevens you can get a feel for the "real" output.
C) State of the art Cree emitters and electronics.
D) Good quality and attention to detail (it's the little things like square threads).
E) Nice accessories. Lanyards, clips, gaskets, batteries included.
F) It would be nice if they were made in the US.
I Received this a couple days ago. The photo is not up to date on the 4Sevens website as the barrel is appropriately marked Quark X AA2 Tactical. It is equipped with the latest, at this writing (11/2011) Cree XM-L emitter. The size of the reflector with the high output is a good blend of spill and reach without an intense hot spot. Here is the real thing.
With Hand Strap
With Lanyard
We have been using our G5s (350L OTF) a great deal lately and those things are 123A hungry. (Maybe I should reprogram them).
This Quark X at 280 lumens is almost as bright as the early G5s but will run on 2XAA. I can now use my rechargable NiMH Sanyo Eneloops. The 280L seems about right for what I use it for out of doors. (way overkill for indoors).
I confirmed the output to be as purported, comparing it with 4 other 4 Sevens lights with various ratings.
The Quark X comes with a lanyard and small split ring (which I use a great deal) a hand strap (flexi rubber) which is nice for "tactical" use, ie put it on your weak hand with the light to the palm. I was able to change handgun magazines with the flashlight on my hand without dropping the light or putting it in a holster or pocket. The pocket clip is reversable or removable. Comes with to spare gaskets and 2 double AA batteries.
10 year warranty.
I have it programmed for high and medium, but you can do high/strobe etc. Switch is pulse type.
This is alot of light for under $50.
A year ago it would have taken a light running 2X123A to get a similar output and it would have been $75.
Here are most of the 4Sevens in my cadre. A couple MIA as they are in vehicles that are out.
The top right is a Titanium Quark LE 2X123A NIB. Also have 4 1XAAA ReVo Stainless NIB and an EagleTac II around somewhere. I have the rail mount and switch for the Maelstroms.
I wrote this up in an update to a standard vanilla 2XAA I purchased a year ago but upon its recent receipt and use of this new Quark X I was sufficiently impressed and motivated to go back a see what the output looked like a year ago in my collection.
With all the money I have spent on 4Sevens and early on Fenix lights I could have had Surefires or Streamlights. Having said that and although I am not extremely hard on the products, I have yet to have one fail out of at least a dozen. I do use them frequently though and they are all over the house, vehicles, key rings and go bags. Many a friend and relative has received one as a gift.
I'm not updating with each generation LED and electronics but I would prefer to have the highest output for the least power, which in the world of LED lights, means updating at least annually if not 18 months. A $250 dollar flashlight running on 2X123A with 100 Lumens (ANSI?) just doesn't do it for me.
There are a few things I like about 4Sevens.
A) 10 year warranty
B) ANSI OTF rating, not many manufacturers use it but when comparing 4 Sevens to 4Sevens you can get a feel for the "real" output.
C) State of the art Cree emitters and electronics.
D) Good quality and attention to detail (it's the little things like square threads).
E) Nice accessories. Lanyards, clips, gaskets, batteries included.
F) It would be nice if they were made in the US.
I Received this a couple days ago. The photo is not up to date on the 4Sevens website as the barrel is appropriately marked Quark X AA2 Tactical. It is equipped with the latest, at this writing (11/2011) Cree XM-L emitter. The size of the reflector with the high output is a good blend of spill and reach without an intense hot spot. Here is the real thing.
With Hand Strap
With Lanyard
We have been using our G5s (350L OTF) a great deal lately and those things are 123A hungry. (Maybe I should reprogram them).
This Quark X at 280 lumens is almost as bright as the early G5s but will run on 2XAA. I can now use my rechargable NiMH Sanyo Eneloops. The 280L seems about right for what I use it for out of doors. (way overkill for indoors).
I confirmed the output to be as purported, comparing it with 4 other 4 Sevens lights with various ratings.
The Quark X comes with a lanyard and small split ring (which I use a great deal) a hand strap (flexi rubber) which is nice for "tactical" use, ie put it on your weak hand with the light to the palm. I was able to change handgun magazines with the flashlight on my hand without dropping the light or putting it in a holster or pocket. The pocket clip is reversable or removable. Comes with to spare gaskets and 2 double AA batteries.
10 year warranty.
I have it programmed for high and medium, but you can do high/strobe etc. Switch is pulse type.
This is alot of light for under $50.
A year ago it would have taken a light running 2X123A to get a similar output and it would have been $75.
Here are most of the 4Sevens in my cadre. A couple MIA as they are in vehicles that are out.
The top right is a Titanium Quark LE 2X123A NIB. Also have 4 1XAAA ReVo Stainless NIB and an EagleTac II around somewhere. I have the rail mount and switch for the Maelstroms.
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great idea if it is.
